Daily Archives: January 4, 2013

ARLINGTON — Fraternal twins Lee and Laura Simmons did almost everything together from the day they were born until 2004, when they graduated from Martin High School.

Then Lee, having settled on his college plans at about the time he learned to walk, went off to Texas A&M University. Laura, who didn’t decide until her senior year, headed north to Norman and the University of Oklahoma.

IRVING — Former Yell Leader Steve Keathley didn’t need two blinks to conjure up his favorite memory from his time as a Texas A&M student in the late 1980s.

“I remember New Year’s Eve Yell Practice [in 1988], and Union Station was just packed as far as you could see,” he said. “My friend and I, we stood up on the trains and looked over a sea of Aggies, and I thought that was just the cat’s meow.”

For a generation of Aggie fans, the Cotton Bowl is A&M and A&M is the Cotton Bowl. Chairman Tommy Bain, class of 1971, said it’s appropriate considering the Aggies will be playing in their 11th Classic against Oklahoma on Friday night.

I noticed the Dallas Morning News sports reporters are making some predictions on the game:

Chuck Carlton Oklahoma 42-37

Little disruptions can mean a lot in bowls. Johnny Manziel’s Heisman schedule and the departure of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could change the A&M offensive equation.

Tim Cowlishaw Oklahoma 27-24

And the winner in passing yards is … Landry Jones. His final season didn’t go as planned, but here’s the chance to make one final statement while the rest of the world is watching Johnny Football.

Rick Gosselin Oklahoma, 37-34

The Aggies may have reinvented themselves in the SEC, but the Sooners will have to see it to believe it.

Kate Hairopoulos Texas A&M 42-24

Aggies jump on OU early, limit Landry Jones in his farewell.

Mike Heika Oklahoma 38-28

Lost in all of the Johnny Football Heisman hype is the fact the Sooners have five Heisman winners, including two in the last decade. Expect OU to have a Big 12 chip on its shoulder and play with a great deal of intensity after watching all of the Johnny Manziel appearances on late-night television.

Kevin Sherrington Texas A&M 35-28

Johnny Football shows what life would have been like if the Aggies hadn’t gone to the SEC.

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I want to keep track of everyone’s prediction so I can ask them about them after the game.